Librarian Ann Pechacek and Teens Participating in Project Goodwill

Librarian Ann Pechacek (far left) is pictured with staff and teens participating in "Project Goodwill," a Worthington Libraries program modeled after a fashion show in the style of Project Runway. Teens were invited to put together fancy outfits using donated clothing, then run the catwalk where their creative endeavors were judged.

Ann worked at Worthington Libraries for 20 years, first as a teen librarian and then as a lead librarian. During her time at the library, she served as a friend and mentor to countless teens, sharing with them her passion for reading. In addition to her many programs and booktalks at the library, Ann served on prestigious national book award committees: the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, and the William C. Morris YA Debut Award. She was born in Muskogee, OK, and grew up in Tahlequah, OK, where she graduated high school. She continued her education at the University of Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Alaska in Anchorage. She received her Master's in Library Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.